VantageScore Credit Score Overview

What is the VantageScore?

When most people talk about credit scores, they're referring to the FICO score, the brand most-used by lenders. But, that's not the only credit score out there. The VantageScore was launched by the three major credit bureaus – Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion - in March 2006.

The credit bureaus came up with the VantageScore so that consumer credit scores would be consistent among all three credit bureaus.

Prior to the VantageScore, each of the credit bureaus used their own credit scoring model which led to differences in credit scores even for the same credit report.

VantageScore 3.0

In 2013, VantageScore released the 3.0 version of its credit score, which improved the predictiveness of the score and generated scores for millions of consumers who were previously unscoreable. The VantageScore 3.0 also adopted a 300 to 850 range.

Previous VantageScore Models

Scores calculated using VantageScore 2.0 and previous models ranged from 501 to 990 with higher scores being better. VantageScore assigns a letter grade to each consumer’s credit score. The letter grade takes the guesswork out of figuring out what’s a good credit score.

901 – 990 = A, Super Prime, 11% of consumers are Super Prime.

801 – 900 = B, Prime Plus, 29%

701 – 800 = C, Prime, 21%

601 – 700 = D, Non-Prime, 20%

501 – 600 = F, High Risk, 19%

VantageScore Formula

The VantageScore is calculated based on the information in your credit report, but the most recent 24-months of credit history have the most significant impact on a VantageScore.

The VantageScore 2.0 and previous models weighed six credit score factors as follows:

9% - Balances – the amount of recently reported current and delinquent balances

8% - Depth of credit – the length of your credit history and types of accounts you have

30% - Recent credit – the number of recently opened credit accounts and credit inquiries

1% - Available credit – the amount of available credit on your credit card accounts

VantageScore vs. FICO Score

The VantageScore formula is similar to the FICO score five-factor formula (payment history, level of debt, age of credit history, type of accounts, inquiries), but the categories are split up differently: age of credit history and type of accounts are included in VantageScore’s depth of credit (15% vs. 13%).

In addition to credit utilization (30% of your FICO score), the VantageScore also considers credit card and loan balances and available credit (10% of the Vantage Score).

Your VantageScore will continue to vary from one credit bureau to the next since the information in your credit reports is different.

Credit Inquiries and VantageScore

You can check your VantageScore without having your credit score drop since this type of credit report inquiry doesn’t affect your credit. Your VantageScore is impacted by inquiries that result from your application for a loan, credit card, or other service.

How to View Your Vantage Score

You can get a free versions of the VantageScore from Credit.com, CreditKarma.com, LendingTree.com, and Quizzle.com.